Saiyami Kher has become the first Indian actress to complete the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Germany by finishing a 1.9-km swim, a 90-km bike ride and a 21.1-km run back-to-back without breaks.
Sharing a photo from the event on Instagram, the 32-year-old wrote, “IRONMAN 70.3 Finisher ♥️💪🏽🙏🏽 It was some adventure, freezing cold and getting lost on route! Long post to follow soon, once it all sinks in.”
“It’s been a week since I crossed off a long-held dream: completing the Ironman 70.3! Last June, an accident sidelined me for 8 months, I faced a whirlwind of ups & downs, personally & professionally. I had to take charge of my life & decided to sign up for the race. They say if your mind decides to do something, your body follows,” she wrote alongside a video featuring moments from the triathlon.
Saiyami recalled that when she started training for the competition, she could not even swim 50 metres without gasping for breath. “Completing 2 km felt impossible,” she wrote, adding that a fellow athlete and her friends helped her and joined her in her journey.
“I put my head down & committed fully, waking up at 4 AM in between Cricbuzz & a film shoot. Each week was a battle against fatigue, but I grew stronger & fitter—progressing from struggling to swim 50 mtrs to comfortably reaching a 3km swim, 20km run & biking 100 km,” Saiyami wrote.
The Ghoomer actress said that a week before the race, she had to go through a tough time while travelling to Canada for a work trip. “A week before the race, my work trip to Canada turned into a nightmare—delayed flights & missed connections, then the airline lost my bags. I spent two days coordinating & the Indian embassy saved the day. When my gear finally arrived, I went for a swim and ride, battling intense winds. I realised I needed to trust my training & enjoy whatever came my way. With that mindset, the race felt like a celebration, despite the freezing 8 deg water.”
Saiyami swam in cold water for 42 minutes at the race. Her first bike loop was “incredible” as there were “smooth roads and stunning views”, she said.
“I missed the turn for the 2nd loop & was directed to the end. Refusing to accept a no, I ran back 2kms with the bike on my back, through the spectators, found the route & pushed on, wasting about 25 minutes. I finished the bike leg in 3 hrs 34min, relieved I wasn’t disqualified. I didn’t hydrate well & during the run, I faced shin splints but I stayed relaxed, focusing on just the next tree or the next curb. It was mind over matter,” she wrote.
Saiyami signed off by mentioning that finishing the race was about “reclaiming her spirit, self belief & proving she could overcome whatever was thrown at her”.
One month before the sporting event held on September 15, Saiyami shared glimpses from her training. The actress said that she met with a bike accident in June last year which took a month to heal. Juggling both acting and training, she was filled with a “blend of nerves, excitement, and deep fulfilment”, she said.
Bollywood veteran Shabana Azmi took to the comments section and wrote, “You are amazing . I’m completely in awe.” Rasika Dugal commented, “This is so so inspiring.”
On the work front, Saiyami was last seen in Ghoomer alongside Abhishek Bachchan and Angad Bedi. She also starred in Sharmaji Ki Beti with Sakshi Tanwar and Divya Dutta.
